Snorkeling in Chennai

Blue and seemingly bottomless, the ocean calls out to us to explore its hidden depths. For those of us who love the water, the aquatic world is our dream destination, with delicate jellyfish fanning out their tendrils, manta rays swimming serenely under the waves, lionfish with elegant spikes and more, splashing about their natural habitat. Scuba diving in Chennai takes you into the mysterious Bay of Bengal and treats you to the beautiful sight of its ocean bed. 

Although you might be ready to begin scuba diving in Chennai, this lovely coastal region does not have many dive sites and the visibility is low. However, right near Chennai is Pondicherry, and this enchanting Union Territory has plenty of stunning dive sights to leave you spellbound and fulfilled. 

So, if scuba diving in Chennai is on your mind and you’re disappointed you can’t dip into the Bay of Bengal, we give you the next best thing with scuba diving in Pondicherry! Scroll through this page to discover the spectacular dive sites that are available in Tamil Nadu. 

Known for its cultural beauty, Pondicherry was once a French colonial settlement and its chief draw is its French-infused food, architecture, historical sites, and lovely, winding streets. However, if you’re a traveler that’s looking for more to Pondicherry than what you’ll find on its surface, get ready for an adventure that will thrill you to the bone, with scuba diving in Pondicherry. 

Besides the golden beaches of this quaint Union Territory, scuba diving in Pondicherry takes you below the waves of the blue ocean, to the mysterious aquatic kingdom that lurks beneath. Long stretches of coral reef give you a look at the vibrantly coloured sea creatures that swim around in their natural habitat. Spot delicate, translucent jellyfish, lionfish, kingfish, moray eels, manta rays, and crustaceans as they navigate the unpredictable world underwater.

New to this thrilling water sport? Take up a course at one of the Dive Schools that dot the region. These professional divers will show you the ropes for safe and satisfying diving experiences. If you’re a skilled diver, scuba diving in Pondicherry will give you a chance to explore new, exciting dive sites on the coast of South India.  

Let’s dip into the hidden water world of Pondicherry! If you plan to go scuba diving in Pondicherry, here are a few things that you should know.

Depth: Up to 30 meters

Cost: ₹5,200 onwards

Difficulty: Beginner-Advanced

Water Visibility: 20 - 30 meters depending upon the weather

Right Time to Visit: Throughout the year except for monsoons